NAME AND CONSTITUTION
 
1          (A) This Competition shall be designated the Blackpool and Fylde Sunday Football Alliance Ltd. League.
 
            All such Member Clubs must be affiliated to an affiliated County Football Association and their names and particulars shall be returned annually by the appointed date on the Form "D" to the Lancashire County Football Association. The area covered by the Competition Membership shall be of a reasonable travelling distance to the Fylde.
 
            This Competition shall apply annually for sanction to the Lancashire Football Association and the constituent teams of Member Clubs may be grouped in divisions, each not exceeding 14 in number.
 
            Member Clubs shall not enter any of their teams playing in the Competition in any other Competitions (with the exception of F.A. and County F.A. Competitions) except with the written consent of the Management Committee of the Competition.
 
            (B) At the Annual General Meeting or a Special General Meeting called for the purpose, a majority of the delegates present shall have power to decide or adjust the compilation of the divisions at their discretion.  When necessary this Rule shall take precedence over Rule 12.
 
SUBSCRIPTION, INSURANCE & GUARANTEE FEES
 
 
2.         (A) Applications by Clubs for admission to this Competition or the entry of an additional team(s) must be made in writing to the Secretary and must be accompanied by a completed Application Form.
            At the discretion of a majority of the accredited voting members present applications, of which due notice has been given, may be received at the Annual General Meeting or a Special General Meeting.
           
            (B) The Annual Subscription shall be £115 per Team payable as the Management Committee decides.
 
             (C) Each Club shall on the day of election pay a Guarantee Fee of £50.00, which shall be returnable to Clubs on leaving the Competition provided they have fulfilled their fixtures and complied with all orders of the Management Committee.
 
            (D) A Club shall not participate in this Competition until the Insurance Fee, Annual Subscription and Guarantee Fee have been paid in accordance with the Committee’s instructions.
          
            (E) All clubs must be members of and take out at least one unit of the League Insurance Scheme and pay that unit fee before the first playing date of any new season.
 
            (F) Clubs must advise annually to the Secretary in writing by 1^st August of its Lancashire County Football Association affiliation number for the forthcoming Season, failing which they shall be fined £20.00. Clubs must advise the Secretary in writing, or on the prescribed form, of details of its Headquarters, Officers and any other information required by the Competition.
              
               (G) Clubs must notify the Secretary of the League of their intentions for the following season by the 15^th May and Application Forms to have been returned to the League Secretary by this date. This Rule shall not operate as to preclude any justifiable promotion of any Club.

 

OFFICERS

 
3.         The Officers of the Competition shall be the Chairman, Vice Chairman, Treasurer, Secretary, Registration Secretary, Fixtures Secretary, Discipline Secretary, Referees Secretary, I T Manager and Communications Officer to be elected annually at the Annual General Meeting, and to hold Office for two years. Honoraria will be paid annually to Officers of the League, through the Treasurer. (N.B. Auditors are not Officers).
 

MANAGEMENT, NOMINATION, ELECTION

 
4.         (A) The Competition shall be governed in accordance with the Rules and Regulations of The Football Association by a Management Committee comprised of the Officers and members who shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting. Members of the Management Committee shall serve for a period of two years before having to seek re-election.
 
            (B) Retiring Officers shall be eligible to become candidates for re-election without nomination.  All other candidates for election as Officers or Members of the Management Committee shall be nominated to the Secretary in writing, signed by the Secretaries of two Member Clubs, not later than 31^st March in each year.  Names of the candidates for election shall be circulated with the notice of the Annual General Meeting.  In the event of there being no nomination in accordance with the foregoing for any office, nominations may be received at the Annual General Meeting
 
            (C) The Management Committee shall meet monthly or as often as is necessary to deal with business as it arises. Any member of the Management Committee being absent from two consecutive meetings without an apology shall cease to be a member of the committee.
 
            On receiving a requisition signed by two-thirds of the Members of the Management Committee the Secretary shall convene a meeting of the Committee.
 
            (D) Except where otherwise mentioned all communications shall be addressed to the Secretary who shall conduct the correspondence of the Competition and keep a record of its proceedings.
 
            (E) All communications received from Clubs must be conducted through their nominated Officers.
 
POWERS OF MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
 
5.         (A) The Management Committee may appoint such other sub-committees as they may consider necessary and may delegate such of their powers as they deem necessary to such committees.  The decisions of all such committees shall be reported to the Management Committee for ratification.
 
            (B) Subject to the permission of the Lancashire County Football Association having been obtained the Management Committee may order a match or matches to be played each season, the proceeds to be devoted to the funds of the Competition and, if necessary, may call upon each Club (including any Club which may have withdrawn during the season) to contribute equally such sums as may be necessary to meet any deficiency at the end of the season. (See Rule 6(e)).
 
            (C) Each Member of the Management Committee shall have the right to attend and vote at all Management Committee Meetings and have one vote thereat, but no Member shall be allowed to vote on any matters directly appertaining to such Member or to the Club so represented. (This shall apply to the procedure of any sub-committee).
 
            In the event of the voting being equal on any matter, the Chairman shall have a second or casting vote.
 
            (D) The Management Committee shall have powers to apply, act upon and enforce the Rules of the Competition and shall also have jurisdiction over all matters affecting the Competition, including any not provided for in the Rules. Except where these Rules provide for the imposition of a set penalty any Club, Official or Player alleged to be in breach of a Competition Rule must be formally charged in writing and given the opportunity to present their case before the Management Committee. All breaches of the Laws of the Game, Rules and Regulations of The Football Association shall be dealt with in accordance with F.A. Rules.
 
            (E) All decisions of the Management Committee shall be binding subject to the right of appeal to the Board of Appeal in accordance with Rule 16.
             Decisions of the Management Committee must be notified in writing to those concerned within 7 days.
           
           (F) 50% of the Members of the Management Committee shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business of the Management Committee and three            Members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business by any sub-committee of the Competition.
           
(G) The Management Committee, as it may deem necessary, shall have power to fill in an acting capacity, any vacancies that may occur amongst their number.
 
(H) A Club having failed to comply with an order or instruction of the Management           Committee, or failing to satisfactorily attend to the business and/or the correspondence of the Competition, shall be liable to be fined or otherwise penalised at the discretion of the Management Committee.
 
            (I) All fines and charges shall be paid within 14 days of the date of posting of the written notification.
            Clubs, Officials or individuals committing a breach of this Rule will incur such penalties as the Management Committee may impose.
 
            (J) A member of the Management Committee appointed by the Competition to attend a meeting or match may have any expenses incurred refunded by the Competition.
 
            (K) The Management Committee shall have the power to fill any vacancy that may occur in the membership of the Competition between the Annual General or Special General Meeting called to decide the constitution and the commencement of the Competition season.
 

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

 
6.         (A) The Annual General Meeting shall be held not later than 30^th June in each year.  At this meeting the following business shall be transacted provided that at least 50% of Members are present and entitled to vote: -
            (i)          To receive and confirm the Minutes of the preceding Annual General Meeting.
(ii)          To consider any business arising there from.
(iii)          To receive and adopt the Annual Report, Balance Sheet and Statement of Accounts.
(iv)              Election of Clubs to fill vacancies (as recommended by the Management Committee).
(v)                Constitution of the Competition for ensuing season.
(vi)          Election of Officers and Management Committee.
(vii)          Appointment of Auditors.
(viii)          Alteration of Rules, if any (of which notice has been given).
(ix)         Fix the date for the commencement and conclusion of playing season.
(x)  Other business of which due notice shall have been given and accepted as being relevant to an Annual General Meeting.
 
(B) A copy of the duly audited Balance Sheet, Statement of Accounts and Agenda shall be forwarded to each Club at least fourteen days prior to the meeting, and to the Lancashire County Football Association.
 
(C) A signed copy of the duly audited Balance Sheet and the Annual General Meeting shall send Statement of Accounts to the Lancashire County Football Association within fourteen days of its adoption.
 
(D) Each Full Member Club/team shall be empowered to send two delegates to an Annual General Meeting. Each Club shall be entitled to one vote only. Not less than 7 days notice shall be given of any Meeting.
 
(E) Clubs who have withdrawn their Membership of the Competition during the season being concluded or who are not continuing Membership shall be entitled to attend but shall vote only on matters relating to the season being concluded. This provision will not apply to Clubs expelled in accordance with Rule 17.
 
(F) All voting shall be conducted by a show of League Handbooks unless a ballot is demanded by at least two thirds of the delegates qualified to vote or the Chairman so decides.
 
(G) No individual shall be entitled to vote on behalf of more than one Full Member Club.
 
(H) Any continuing Member Club failing to be represented at the Annual General Meeting without satisfactory reason being given shall be fined.
 
(I) Officers and Management Committee members shall be entitled to attend and vote at an Annual General Meeting.
 
League Representative Meetings: All Clubs shall have at least one representative at each monthly meeting. Club representatives shall be present at 7.45 pm and will not leave without the Chairman’s permission. A Roll Call will be taken during the meeting. Any Club failing to be represented at a League Meeting will be fined on the first occasion and will be dealt with by the Management Committee on any subsequent occasion. Apologies for non-attendance will not be accepted. 
 
AGREEMENT TO BE SIGNED
 
7.         The Secretary of each Club shall complete and sign the following agreement, which shall be deposited with the Competition together with the Application for Membership for the coming season, or upon indicating that the Club intends to compete.
            “______________________(Secretary) of the_____________________Football Club have been provided with a copy of the Rules and Regulations of the Blackpool and Fylde Sunday Football Alliance Competition and do hereby agree for and on behalf of the said Club, if elected or accepted into Membership, to conform to those Rules and Regulations and to accept, abide by and implement the decisions of the Management Committee of the Competition, subject to the right of appeal in accordance with Rule 16."
 
            Any alteration of the Secretary on the above Agreement must be notified to the Lancashire County Football Association to which the Club is affiliated and to the Secretary of the Competition.
           
            (Note:  The spaces above are intended for the inclusion of the signature and address of the secretary).
 
 
QUALIFICATION OF PLAYERS
 
8
            (A)            Contract players, as defined in Football Association Rules, are not permitted in this Competition.
            (B)            A registered playing member of a Club is one who, being in all other respects eligible, has: -
                             Signed a fully and correctly completed Competition Registration form in ink.
                   A Registration form signed on a match day prior to playing, shall be countersigned by an    Officer        of the Club and witnessed by an Officer of the opposing Club or the Match Referee, and submitted        to the Registration Secretary within two days (Sundays excluded) subsequent to the match. Clubs        are advised to check the player’s eligibility with the Registration Secretary before playing him in a        game.
 
                Registration forms may also be submitted to the Registration Secretary by facsimile machine prior to the player playing.
            All teams must register a minimum of 11 players with the League before the 1^st August.
            Any player whose Lancashire Football Association administrative charge(s) has/have been paid by his club, will not be allowed to sign for another club until it has been settled in full. Registration Forms will be available from the 1^st of May providing the club is clear of all outstanding money from the previous season and each Club will receive 20 Registration Forms. Additional Registration Forms will be charged at 30p.
 
            (C)     The Management Committee shall decide all registration disputes.
 
            In the event of a player signing a registration form or having a registration submitted for more than one Club priority of registration shall decide for which Club the player shall be registered. The Registration Secretary shall notify the Club last applying to register the player of the fact of the previous registration.
 
            (D) It shall be a breach of Rule for a player to: -
 
                 (i) Play for more than one Club in the Competition in the same season without
                 First being transferred.
                
                  (ii) Having signed for one Club in the Competition, sign for another Club in the
                 Competition in that season except for the purpose of a transfer.
                
                 (iii) Submit a signed Registration form for Registration that the player had wilfully
                 neglected to accurately or fully complete.
 
            (E)  (i) The Management Committee shall have power to accept the registration
                 of any player. The Management Committee shall have power to refuse, cancel
            or suspend the registration of any player or may fine any a player at their discretion proved guilty of registration irregularities. (Subject to Rule 16).
                
              (ii) The Management Committee shall have power to refuse or cancel the registration of    any player found guilty of undesirable conduct and to disqualify the player in question from participating in all games in the Competition. (Subject to Rule 16).
 
            (Note:  Action under Clause (2) shall not be taken against a player for misconduct on the field of play until the matter has been dealt with by the appropriate Association, and then only in cases of the player bringing the Competition into disrepute.)
 
     
 
 
      (F) Subject to The Football Association Rules dealing with players without a written       contract when a player desires a transfer,  the Club the player wishes to transfer to shall submit a transfer form to the Registration Secretary accompanied by a fee of £5.00
            ( £2.00  will be given to the Club who has transferred the player).
            The team that the player is leaving is required to complete a part of the transfer form, However should this Club object to the transfer it should state its objections in writing to the Registration Secretary and to the player concerned within seven days of receipt of the transfer form.
            Upon receipt of the Club's consent, or upon its failure to give written objection within seven days, the (Registration) Secretary may, on behalf of the Management Committee, transfer the player who shall be deemed eligible to play for the new Club from such date after receipt of such transfer.
1         No club shall be allowed to sign by transfer more than one player from the same club in any 28-day period.
2         No player shall be allowed to transfer from his existing club after the completion of that club’s  fixtures.
3         Clubs with two teams in the League shall not include in the second team any player who has played five games in the first team, without the Registration Secretary's permission, who may allow no more than two such players for any one game.
4         No player shall be allowed to transfer more than once in any season without the sanction of the Management Committee.
5         No player registered prior to the commencement of the season shall be allowed a transfer       until 5 games have been played in the league by the team he is registered with, except by Management Committee consent.
      (G) A player may not be transferred to another Club in the Competition after 16^th March except by special permission of the Management Committee.
 
      (H) A Club shall keep a list of the players it registers and a record of the games in which they have played, and shall produce such records upon demand by the Management Committee.
 
      (I) A register containing the names of all players registered for each Club, with the date of registration, shall be kept by the Registration Secretary and shall be open to the inspection of any duly appointed Member Club representative at all Management Committee meetings or at other times mutually arranged.
           
      (J)(i) Any team playing an unregistered or otherwise ineligible player or players shall have the points gained in the match deducted from its total and may be fined and/or otherwise dealt with at the discretion of the Management Committee.
          
            (ii) In addition the team shall have 3 points deducted from its total at the discretion of the      Management Committee and may be dealt with in any further manner which is thought to be fit.
 
            (iii) The Management Committee in exceptional circumstances may, at its discretion, award any points deducted from a Club under this Rule to the opponents in the match in question, subject to the match not being ordered to be replayed.
           
                 

CLUB COLOURS.  CLUB NAME

 
9.         (A) Every Club must register two sets of colours (shirts, shorts and socks) with the League Secretary by the 1^st of July who shall decide as to their suitability.
 
            Goalkeepers must wear colours, which distinguish them from other players and the referee.
 
            No player, including the goalkeeper, shall be permitted to wear black or very dark shirts.
 
            Any team not being able to play in its normal colours as registered with the Competition shall notify the colours in which they will play to its opponents at least 3 days before the match.
 
            If, in the opinion of the referee, two Clubs have the same or similar colours, the away team shall make the change. Any team not having a change of colours or delaying the kick-off by not having a change shall be fined £10.00.
 
            The Secretary of the Competition may request shirts to be submitted if complaints are received as to lack of distinguishing colours, and the Management Committee may refuse to permit any shirts or shorts as they think fit.  Shirts must be numbered.
 
            (B) Any Club wishing to change its name and/or colours must seek permission from its affiliated County Association and from the Management Committee. There will an administration charge of £25.00 for a name change.
 
 
PLAYING SEASON.  CONDITIONS OF PLAY
 
TIMES OF KICK-OFF.  POSTPONEMENTS.  SUBSTITUTES
 
10.       (A The League will commence its Fixtures the same weekend as the Football League, and a concluding date will be announced at the Annual General Meeting, which shall be in accordance with Football Association Rules.  No Club shall be compelled to play after the concluding date.  The Fixtures Secretary will arrange original fixtures and he shall have the full responsibility for arranging all league and cup fixtures.
 
            (B) All matches shall be played in accordance with the Laws of the Game as determined by the International Football Association Board.
 
            Clubs must take all reasonable precautions to keep their grounds in a playable condition. All matches shall be played on pitches deemed suitable by the Management Committee. If through any fault of the home team a match has to be replayed, the Management Committee shall have power to order the venue to be changed.
 
            The Management Committee shall have power to decide whether a pitch and/or facilities are suitable for matches in the Competition and to order the Club concerned to play its fixtures on another ground.
 
            All matches shall have a duration of 90 minutes unless a shorter time not less than 70 minutes is mutually arranged by the two captains in consultation with the referee prior to the commencement of the match, and in any event shall be of equal halves.
 
            The times of kick-off shall be 11.00am on Sundays or fixed by the Management Committee. Any Club failing to commence at the appointed time shall be fined, or be otherwise dealt with as the Management Committee may determine.
             
Referees must order matches to commence at the appointed time and must report all late starts to the Competition.
 
            The home team must provide at least two footballs fit for play and the referee shall make a report to the Competition if the footballs are unsuitable. Goal nets must be used, and each club must provide one.
 
            (C) Except by permission of the Management Committee all matches must be played on the dates originally fixed but priority shall be given to The Football Association and all relevant County Association Cup Competitions. All other matches must be considered secondary.


            (D) The Secretary of the home Club must give notice in writing of full particulars of the location of, and access to, the ground and time of kick-off to the match officials and the Secretary of the opposing Club at least 3 clear days prior to the playing of the match. 
 
            Any Club failing to comply with this Rule shall be liable to a fine.
 
            (E) Every Club shall play its best available qualified team or teams in all matches in the Competition.
 
            (Note: The intention of this Rule is not to interfere with normal team selection by Clubs, but to prevent Clubs deliberately fielding a weakened team in order to unreasonably reserve players for another game or to boost the strength of another or lower team. It is NOT intended that Clubs MUST field higher team players in lower teams when the higher team has no engagement.  If, in the opinion of the Management Committee, the substance or spirit of the Rule is obviously being disregarded, the Club or Clubs concerned may be called to account for its/their actions and shall be subject to such decisions as the Management Committee may determine, despite the fact that Rule 8 has not been infringed.)
           
             Any club not able to field 11 players for any game under the jurisdiction of this League,   without an acceptable explanation, will be dealt with at the discretion of the League.
 
            (F) Home and away matches shall be played. In the event of a Club failing to keep its engagement the Management Committee shall have power to inflict a fine, deduct points from the defaulting Club, award the points to the opponents, order the defaulting Club to pay any expenses incurred by the opponents or otherwise deal with them except the award of goals.  Not withstanding the foregoing home and away provision, the Management Committee shall have power to order a match to be played on a neutral ground or on the opponent's ground if they are satisfied that such action is warranted by the circumstances.
 
            Any Club with more than one team in the Competition shall always fulfil its fixture, within the Competition, in the following order of precedence:-  First Team, Reserve Team, Clubs in breach of this requirement shall be fined, or otherwise dealt with by the Management Committee.
 
            Once a fixture is printed and given out at the Monthly Meeting no postponement will be allowed and providing there is a minimum of five days notice clubs will be expected to take a fixture when they are not on the printed Fixture list. Unless they have specifically requested in writing not to have a Fixture on that date.
 
            In the event of a match not being played or abandoned owing to causes over which neither Club has control, it shall be played in its entirety on a date to be mutually agreed by the two Clubs and approved by the Management Committee.  Failing such agreement and notification to the Fixtures Secretary within 7 days the Management Committee shall have power to order the match to be played on a named date or on or before a given date.
 
            The Management Committee shall review all abandoned matches and in a case where it is to the advantage of the Competition and does no injustice to either Club, shall be empowered to order the score at the time of the abandonment to stand. 
            
            In all cases where the Management Committee are satisfied that a match was abandoned owing to the conduct of one team or its Club member(s) they shall be empowered to award the points for the match to the opponents and/or take what other action they may deem necessary. 
 
             In cases where a match is abandoned owing to the conduct of both teams or their Club members, the Management Committee shall take such action, as they consider appropriate.  Such action is subject to any disciplinary action taken by the appropriate County Association.
            
            
           
           (G) A Club may at its discretion and in accordance with the Laws of the Game use 3 substitute players in any match in this Competition who may be selected from 5 players.
            The referee shall be informed of the names of the substitutes not later than 10 minutes before the start of the match. A player who has been selected, appointed or named as a substitute before the start of the match but does not actually play in the game shall not be considered to have been a player in that game within the meaning of Rule 8 of this Competition.
 
           (H) The half time interval shall be of 5 minutes duration, but it shall not exceed fifteen minutes the half time interval may only be altered with the consent of the referee.
          
            (I) When a team’s fixture has to be postponed due to outstanding monies to the League or Fines/Administration Charges to the Lancashire Football Association this team will be dealt with as having failed to fulfil a fixture.             
           

REPORTING RESULTS

 
11.       (A) The Registration Secretary must receive result sheets not later than 3 days of the date of the game being played, the result of each Competition match in the prescribed manner. This must include the forenames and surname of the team players, the Referee markings required by Rule 13 and the Sportsmanship marks of the opposing team or any other information required by the Competition.  Failure to do so will incur a fine and/or the Club being dealt with as the Management Committee decide.
 
            (B) Both Clubs shall telephone the result of each match to the Divisional Representative by 2.00 pm on a Sunday or 9.00 pm for a night game.
 
            (C) The match result notification, correctly completed, shall be signed by a responsible member of the Club.  The Management Committee shall have power to take such action, as they deem suitable against a Club, which submits an incomplete form or incorrect information.
 

DETERMINING CHAMPIONSHIP & CUP COMPETITIONS

 
12.       (A) Team rankings within the Competition will be decided by points with 3 points to be awarded for a win and 1 point for a drawn match. The teams gaining the highest number of points in their respective Divisions at the conclusion shall be adjudged the winners. Matches must not be played for double points.
 
            In the event of two or more teams being equal on points team rankings may be decided in any one or more of  the following ways:-
 
                 (i)   goal difference
                  (ii)  if still equal the matter will be decided by a play off as arranged by the        Management Committee and if still level penalties to decide
 
                (B) Automatic promotion shall be applied for the first two  teams in each Division except as provided for hereunder, subject to the provisions of  Rule 1(b).
 
            (i)  Relegation will be at the discretion of the Management Committee..
           
            (ii) Vacancies occurring after the conclusion of the season may be filled on any of the following ways:
 
            (a) retention of otherwise relegated team(s)
            (b) additional promotion of the next ranked team(s) from the Division below.                                 
 
             (c) election
 
            (iii) The last bottom team in the lowest Divisions shall retire, but be eligible for re-election except as below, and be subject to the conditions of paragraph (B)(1) above.
 
            (iv) When a senior team is relegated to a lower Division of which its reserve team is a member, or entitled to be a member, such reserve team must accept relegation to, or retain its position in, the next lower Division; and should the senior team be relegated to the lowest Division its reserve team automatically retires from the Competition.
 
            (v )Should either or both of the leading teams in any of the Divisions have its senior team in the next higher Division, promotion shall fall, at the discretion of the General Meeting, to the next highest team or teams in the Division concerned.
 
            (C) In the event of a team not completing all of its fixtures for the season all points obtained by or recorded against such defaulting team shall be expunged from the Competition table.
                         
 
                                              CUP RULES
 
COMPETITIONS COVERED
 
(A)These Rules will be standard for all Challenge Cup and Knock -Out Cup matches organised by the League.
 
   (B) Challenge Cups shall be divided as follows :-
 
1         Premier Division
2         1st Division(s)
3         2nd Divisions(s)
4         3rd Division(s)
5         4th Division(s)
 
   (C) There will be a Knock-Out Cup which will be competed for by all Divisions. The 1st Divisions will be excluded from the preliminary round matches. The Premier Division will be excluded from preliminary and 1st round matches.
 
  (D) FEES
 
1        For all Cup-Ties fees are included in the annual subscription.
 
  (E) TROPHIES
 
1         Each cup shall be presented to and held by, the winners for one year.
2        The cups will never become the permanent property of any team in the League.
 
 (F)    FAILURE TO FULFIL A FIXTURE
 
1         Any club failing to fulfill a Cup or Shield match on the day appointed will be disqualified from the Cup or Shield competition, and shall be liable to a fine, part of the fine to go to the opposing club to cover out of pocket expenses. The match may be awarded to the opponents.
2         Once the Fixtures Secretary has notified the date of the Cup Fixtures, there shall be no postponement whatsoever.
3         In any Fixture ordered to be replayed in consequence of a breach of Rule, the Club in default shall meet all expenses of re-staging the game.   
 
 
 
(G)   VENUE
1         In any tie in any round prior to the semi final stage of the competition where the home club ground is unfit for play on a second occasion, should there be a neutral venue available the Fixtures Secretary will switch the tie to that venue in order to play the tie.
2        Failure to comply will result in expulsion from the cup competition.
 
(H)     BYES
1        Clubs that have a bye or walkover in any round shall not be entitled to have a bye in the next round.
                   
(I)      ELIGIBILITY OF PLAYERS
2         No individual shall play for more than 1 team in the same season in any Cup Competition, Divisional Competition or Knock-Out Competition, even if that individual played for a team which has since resigned or have been dismissed from the B.& F.S.F.A..                                    
3         Each player must have been a registered player of his club on an official League Registration form, or Transfer form at least 14 days before the match, have taken part in at least 2 games before a semi final and have played in 4 games before a final in that season within the League. This rule will not apply to the Knock-Out Cup before 1st October, before which date players in this "all- division" competition can be signed as for League matches.
4         Up to 30 September each season players can be signed as for League matches.
5         For Registration qualification in the case of postponed, drawn, or replayed matches, only those players who were eligible on the date fixed in the first place will be allowed to play.
6         Only if substitutes are used in a match should they be named on the team sheet. Referees to name substitutes, if used, on report form.
7        Any club  playing an unregistered or ineligible player will be struck out of the competition and any other punishment that the Discipline Committee may determine. The ineligible player may be dealt with as per the General Rule on "Registration of Players".
 
(J)       UNSUITABLE VENUE
1         If a ground is considered unsuitable for a cup-tie, an appeal must be made to the Management Committee within 3 days of receipt of notification of the draw. The Management Committee may order the match to be played either on the ground of the appealing club or on a neutral ground.
2         If such an appeal is not sustained, the appellant may be called upon to pay the expenses incurred by the appeal.
 
(K)       DURATION OF GAME
1         The duration of each match shall be 90 minutes. Extra time of 30 minutes  shall be played in all matches resulting in a draw at the end of normal time. A replay in all ties up to the semi final ties shall then take place on a date to be arranged. If the tie is still a draw after extra time, then the tie will be decided by the taking of penalties as per Laws of the Game ( see F.A. Knock Out Competition Rules)
2        In all Semi Finals & Final Ties of all Cup Competitions if the tie is still a draw after extra time then the tie will be decided by the taking of penalties as per Laws of the Game (see F.A. Knock Out Competition Rules ).
 
(L)      TEAM SHEETS
1         Both clubs shall exchange team sheets prior to the kick-off bearing the names of all players, including substitutes, taking part in the match. These sheets, together with the result of the tie, will be sent to the Registration Secretary within 3 days of the match.
2         Clubs involved in a drawn match will contact the Fixtures Secretary who will make the necessary arrangements for the replay.
3         Clubs failing to comply will be subject to a fine, may be struck out of the competition, and be dealt with further.
                              
(M)      MATCH FEES
1         In all cup-ties prior to the semi final, the home club will be responsible for the payment of ground fees and the away club responsible for payment of the Referee's fee.
2         All clubs who do not pay the referee before he leaves the match venue will be fined.
 
 (N)     SEMI-FINAL AND FINAL TIES
1         The Management Committee will make all arrangements for the semi-finals of all cup competitions, the cost of which will be paid for out of the League funds.
2         A collection or sale of programmes may be made at all semi-finals and final.
3        Referee's and Assistant Referee's fees will be the same as for the League matches unless altered by the Management Committee.
 
 (0)    OUTSIDE COMPETITIONS
 
   All clubs are earnestly requested to advise the League Management Committee before entering any competition outside the jurisdiction of the League.
 
(P)     RULES GENERAL  
 
   All matters not dealt with specifically in the foregoing Cup Rules shall be covered by the general      Rules of the League.
                                    

REFEREES

 
13.       (A) Registered Referees and Assistant Referees for all matches shall be appointed in a manner approved by the Management Committee and by the sanctioning Association(s).
 
            (B) In the event of the non-appearance of the appointed Referee the appointed senior Assistant Referee shall take charge and a substitute Assistant Referee appointed by the competing Teams. In cases where there are no officially appointed Assistant Referees, the Clubs shall agree upon a Referee. If the Clubs cannot agree the captains shall toss a coin for choice.  A Referee thus agreed upon shall, for that game, have the full powers, status and authority of a registered Referee.
 
            (C) The Management Committee may, if they consider it desirable, or upon application by the two competing Clubs, appoint Assistant Referees, if available, to any match. Where Assistant Referees are not appointed each Team shall provide a Club Assistant Referee.  Failure to do so will result in a fine being imposed on the defaulting Team.
 
            (D) The appointed Referee shall have power to decide as to the fitness of the ground in all matches and the decision shall be final subject to either in the case of a ground of a Local Authority or the owners of a ground, the Representative of that body is the sole arbiter and whose decision must be accepted unless the ground is declared fit for play.
 
            (E) Referees appointed under this Rule shall be entitled to a fee of £18.00. Assistant Referees shall be entitled to a fee of £9.00. Fees include expenses. The Referees Secretary subject to any limits laid down by the sanctioning Association will appoint referees and Assistant Referees. The Home Club shall pay the Officials their fees and expenses immediately after the match. After the completion of 20 games, referees will be paid an expense of £20.00
 
            (F) In the event of a match not being played because of circumstances over which the Clubs have no control, the Match Officials, if present, shall be entitled to half fee only. Where a match is not played owing to one Club being in default, that Club shall be ordered to pay the Officials, if they attend the ground, their full fee. In the event of a game being abandoned because of circumstances over which the clubs have no control the Match Officials shall be paid the full fee.
 
            (G) A Referee not keeping his engagement, and failing to give a satisfactory explanation as to his non-appearance, may be reported to the Association with which he is registered.
 
            (H) Each Club shall, in a manner prescribed from time to time by The Football Association, award marks to the Referee for each match and the name of the Referee and the marks awarded shall be submitted to the Competition on the prescribed Form provided.  Clubs failing to comply with this Rule shall be liable to be fined or dealt with, as the Management Committee shall determine. Any Club awarding a mark of 3 or less must send a letter of explanation for the low mark to the League Secretary within 5 days of the match. The Competition shall keep a record of the markings and, on the Form provided by the prescribed date each season, shall submit a summary to The Football Association/County Association.
 
            (J) The Referee shall submit a report Form, supplied by the Competition, giving the result of the match, the number of players in each team and the time of kick-off to the Referees Secretary within two days of the match.
 
            (K) Referees and Assistant Referees shall be supplied, each Season, with a copy of the Competition Rules free of charge.
                          

CONTINUATION OF MEMBERSHIP OR

WITHDRAWAL OF A CLUB

 
14.       (A) After 31^st December in the current Season a Club intending, or having a provisional intention, to withdraw a team from the Competition on completion of its fixtures and fulfilment of all other obligations to the Competition must notify the Secretary in writing by 31^st April each Season or be liable to a fine.
 
            All Clubs wishing to remain in membership of the Competition for the following Season must confirm their intention to do so, in writing, to the Secretary by 15^th May.
 
            (B) A Club shall not be allowed to withdraw any or all of its teams from the Competition after the arrangement of fixtures for the following Season. Any Club infringing this Rule shall be liable to a fine, and shall also be liable for its share of any call, which may be made under Rule 5(B).
 
                (C) In the event of a Member Club, which is an un-incorporated association, withdrawing and/or disbanding it shall be immediately liable to discharge all its financial and other obligations to the competition.
 
            In the event that any such obligation remains un-discharged after a period of twenty-one (21) days then the then current Club Members, excluding those under the statutory school leaving age, shall meet such obligation.  Until a Member's pro rata obligation is discharged in full the Member shall not be allowed to participate in the Competition, which may apply to the Club's Parent County Association for a suspension order.
.

PROTESTS AND APPEALS

 
15.       (A)(i) All questions of eligibility, qualifications of players or interpretations of the Rules shall be referred to the Management Committee.
 
            (ii) Objections relevant to the dimensions of the pitch, goals, flag posts or other facilities of the venue will not be entertained by the Management Committee unless a protest is lodged with the Referee before the commencement of the match.  Any Club lodging such protest and not proceeding with it shall be deemed guilty of a breach of this Rule and shall be dealt with by the Management Committee.
 
            (B) Except in cases where the Management Committee decide that there are special circumstances, protests and complaints (which must contain full particulars of the grounds upon which they are founded) must be lodged in duplicate with the Secretary within 7 days (excluding Sundays) of the match or occurrence to which they refer. A protest or complaint shall not be withdrawn except by permission of the Management Committee. A Member of the Management Committee who is a member of any Club involved shall not be present (except as a witness or representative of his Club) when such protest or complaint is being determined.
 
            (C) Any dispute occurring between Clubs in the Competition shall be referred for determination by the Management Committee whose decision shall be binding upon all parties subject to Rule 16.
 
            (D) No protest of whatever kind shall be considered by the Management Committee unless the complaining Club shall have deposited with the Secretary a sum of £20.00. This may be forfeited in whole or in part in the event of the complaining or protesting Club losing its case. The Competition shall have power to order the defaulting Club or the Club making a losing or frivolous protest or complaint to pay the expenses of the enquiry or to order that the costs to be shared by the parties.
 
                (E) All parties to a protest or complaint must be afforded an opportunity to make a statement when the protest or complaint is being heard and must have received 7 days notice of the hearing, together with a copy of the submission. When dealing with a protest or complaint the Management Committee shall take into consideration the possession by the protesting or complaining Club of any information, which, if properly used, might have avoided the protest or complaint.
  

BOARD OF APPEAL

 
16.       Within 14 days of the posting of written notification of any decision of the Management Committee or the Competition, a Club, Official or Player against whom action is taken may appeal against such decision by lodging particulars in duplicate with the Secretary of the Lancashire  Football Association, including a fee of £35.00, for adjudication of a Board of Appeal.  The grounds of appeal shall be in accordance with FA Rules. The Board of Appeal may order the appeal fee to be forfeited and shall decide by whom the costs of the appeal shall be borne. The decision of the Board of Appeal is final and binding on all parties concerned.
 
            No appeal can be lodged against a decision taken at an Annual or Special General Meeting unless this is on the ground of unconstitutional conduct.
 
EXCLUSION OF CLUBS.OR TEAMS

MISCONDUCT, CLUBS, OFFICIALS, PLAYERS

 
17.       (A) At the Annual General Meeting, or Special General Meeting called for the purpose, Notice of Motion having been duly circulated on the Agenda, the accredited delegates present shall have the power to exclude any Club or Team from further membership. Voting on this point shall be conducted by ballot.
 
            (B) At the Annual General Meeting, or at a Special General Meeting called for the purpose, in accordance with the provisions of Rule 19, the accredited delegates present shall have the power to exclude from further participation in the Competition any Club whose conduct has, in their opinion, been undesirable, which must be supported by (more than) two-thirds (2/3rds) of those present and voting. Voting on this point shall be conducted by ballot. A Club whose conduct is the subject of the vote being taken shall be excluded from voting.
 
            (C) Any official or member of a Club proved guilty of either a breach of Rule, other than field offences, or of inducing or attempting to induce a player or players of another Club in the Competition to join them shall be liable to expulsion or such penalty as a General Meeting or Management Committee may decide, and their Club shall also be liable to expulsion in accordance with the provisions of Clauses (A) and (B) of this Rule.
 
            (D) Any Club or Team failing to complete all of its fixtures in any season shall (unless the conditions are beyond their control, or the accredited delegates present at the Annual General Meeting or a Special General Meeting decide otherwise by a majority of two-thirds of the votes cast) be debarred from membership the following season.
                                                                        -
TROPHY: - LEGAL OWNERS, CONDITIONS OF TAKING OVER,
AGREEMENT TO BE SIGNED.  AWARDS.<B